Kitazawa returned to the Konoha residence area. With Might Guy's assurance, Sasuke would definitely arrive at Ichiraku Ramen at noon two days later.
By then, numerous villagers and ninja would have seen him. However, social humiliation in front of strangers was far less effective than in front of familiar faces.
The effect would be maximized if all of Uchiha Sasuke's acquaintances could be present. Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino were easy to invite.
Kitazawa was, after all, their teacher.
And with the eating contest happening, even without Kitazawa's invitation, they would likely join in the fun. Akimichi Choji, in particular, would surely be unable to resist the allure of an eating competition.
The hardest people to invite were naturally members of the Uchiha clan—such as Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Itachi.
But it just so happened that the best effect would come if both were present.
Kitazawa stroked his chin. He felt that with Uchiha Fugaku's status, there was no way he would attend an eating contest.
Even if Kitazawa personally invited him, the outcome would be the same. After all, he wasn't qualified to extend an invitation to the esteemed Uchiha clan head.
But Uchiha Itachi was a different matter. As long as he wasn't assigned a mission, there was hope.
Kitazawa thought of Uchiha Mikoto and made his way to the Uchiha residence. It wasn't appropriate to visit Uchiha Itachi directly, so he decided to take a roundabout approach.
"Teacher Kitazawa?" Uchiha Mikoto was surprised to see him and quickly asked, "Did Sasuke cause trouble?"
"No," Kitazawa shook his head. "I'm here to invite Mrs. Mikoto to participate in the eating contest in two days."
"Huh?" Uchiha Mikoto blinked in confusion. This was the first time in her life that anyone had invited her to an eating contest.
"It's a competitive event hosted by Ichiraku Ramen, and I'm sponsoring it," Kitazawa added with a light cough."Sasuke will also be participating."
"Why does he have to take part in a competitive eating contest?" Uchiha Mikoto asked, puzzled.
"It's a summer school project," Kitazawa said, maintaining a straight face. "The whole family should participate."
After all, as the Dean of Academic Affairs at the Ninja Academy, his word carried weight, unless Sarutobi Hisao or Sarutobi Hiruzen came to expose him, which was impossible.
"I see," Uchiha Mikoto smiled gently. "Kitazawa-sensei, it's really thoughtful of you to come all the way."
She gave it serious thought and felt that such a summer project truly had merit and could strengthen family ties. But… there was a problem.
"Fugaku has been very busy and might not be able to make it," Uchiha Mikoto said with a sigh. "But I'll make sure Sasuke's brother attends."
"That's more than enough," Kitazawa said with a grin.
In Sasuke's heart, Uchiha Itachi might hold even greater weight than Fugaku. With Uchiha Mikoto joining as well, this "activation wave" could very well open his eyes.
And if it didn't work, Kitazawa could always ask Yakumo for help.
After leaving the Uchiha residence, Kitazawa made his way to the neighborhood of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans. These three clans were tightly bonded, and their homes were close together.
"Is that Kitazawa-sensei?" Ino's voice called out.
Kitazawa turned and saw her carrying a two-kilogram carp.
"I saw you from afar and thought I was mistaken," Ino said with a smile, trotting over. "Why are you here, Kitazawa-sensei?"
"I came to see you," Kitazawa replied, glancing at the fish. "Fishing today?"
"No, I bought it," Ino explained. "I was training with Sakura this morning, and we cooked it for lunch."
"Sakura's here too?" Kitazawa asked, surprised.
So diligent? Students who trained even during summer vacation were truly rare.
"She's over there," Ino pointed.
Kitazawa looked where she indicated. It was a peaceful resting area—neatly landscaped, with trees, flowers, chairs, and tables.
"Let's head there and talk," he suggested.
"Okay." Ino walked a few steps ahead, then waved and shouted, "Sakura!"
"Kitazawa-sensei?" Sakura looked up in surprise.
With a loud thud, a figure dropped from a tree—it was Shikamaru.
"Why is Kitazawa-sensei here?" Shikamaru's eyes widened, and he looked ready to bolt.
"Are you that scared of Kitazawa-sensei?" Choji asked while munching on a potato chip.
"It's not fear!" Shikamaru corrected. "It's the fact that my hard-earned summer break is about to be ruined!"
"Kitazawa-sensei," Sakura greeted.
"How's your Yang Release Chakra transformation progressing?" Kitazawa asked, nodding.
"If I use a healing jutsu now, I can maintain it for five minutes," Sakura answered thoughtfully.
Kitazawa raised his eyebrows. That level of control was already better than most medical Genin. He turned to Shikamaru.
"Kitazawa-sensei…" Shikamaru asked nervously. "You didn't come here just to see me, right?"
"I came here to see you," Kitazawa replied with a chuckle.
"..." Shikamaru froze, as if he was going to faint. Was his summer break really doomed?
"In two days, Ichiraku Ramen is holding a big-eating contest. You're all invited." Seeing Shikamaru's expression, Kitazawa decided to speak plainly.
"Huh?" Shikamaru looked up. "That's it?"
"If you'd like special training, I can arrange that too," Kitazawa added with a smile.
"No need, no need!" Shikamaru quickly shook his head. "I'm good!"
"An eating contest?" Chōji's eyes lit up with excitement. "You mean the kind where you just eat as much as you want?"
"Exactly," Kitazawa said with a nod. "The top three get a free meal—and a special prize."
"Count me in!" Choji's enthusiasm exploded. "This contest was made for the Akimichi clan!"
"You'll probably take first place," Shikamaru said, patting him. "Ino and I will just participate for fun."
"First place is mine!" Choji declared. When it came to eating, no one could beat the Akimichi.
"Not necessarily," Ino said, thinking of Hinata. Though it was a contest of endurance, she didn't know if Hinata could eat more than Choji.
"Will the competition be divided by age group?" Shikamaru asked, suddenly realizing something.
"It will be," Kitazawa confirmed.
"Then it's a sure win!" Choji declared confidently. Among his peers, no one could match his appetite.
[The strongest love nothing more than to say no. Faced with a challenge, you decided to accept.
Current Mission: Make Akimichi Choji lose first place in the eating contest.]
[Mission Reward: Partial Expansion Jutsu.]
[Accept?]
Kitazawa's first reaction: "Why would a mission trigger here of all places?"
His second: "I can't do that—I don't even have the appetite!"
But soon, Kitazawa realized something he had overlooked... The mission didn't say he had to defeat Akimichi Choji and take first place in the eating contest.
Hinata, it's you!
Kitazawa accepted the mission and planned to have Hinata give it a try. Success would be best. If not, there was nothing to be done.
The Partial Expansion Jutsu was the Akimichi clan's secret jutsu and a weakened version of the Expansion Jutsu.
The Expansion Jutsu could enlarge the entire body, turning it into a proportionally massive form. But the Partial Expansion Jutsu, as the name implied, could only enlarge specific body parts—like hands or feet.
"Just be at Ichiraku Ramen on time at noon the day after tomorrow." Kitazawa snapped out of his thoughts and said with a smile, "I'll see you then."
"We'll definitely be there!" Akimichi Choji replied enthusiastically. He couldn't wait to join the Ichiraku Ramen eating contest.
"See you the day after tomorrow." Kitazawa turned and left, not lingering.
"It's a good thing you weren't here for me." Shikamaru wiped cold sweat from his forehead and muttered.
"You're so useless." Ino glared at him before starting a new round of competition with Sakura.
---
At Kurenai's house.
Kitazawa took out his key, stepped into the living room—and froze.
"Why do you look so surprised?" Kurenai chuckled softly, stepping forward. A distinct rustle of fabric echoed.
Kitazawa's gaze instinctively dropped to her thighs, wrapped in sleek black stockings. In the daylight, they looked especially smooth. The stockings climbed upward, disappearing beneath her black, hip-hugging skirt.
"This outfit suits you perfectly," Kitazawa said, staring at Kurenai, who now resembled a poised professional in a teacher's uniform.
"But you're not being honest," Kurenai rolled her eyes.
After seeing the suit, she understood Kitazawa's real motives. That so-called teacherly image? just a façade. His real intention? Indulging a very specific taste.
"Then why are you still wearing it?" Kitazawa asked, blinking innocently.
"If this outfit motivates you, I suppose it's worth the sacrifice," Kurenai replied with a faint smile.
"Kurenai, you really are the best woman in the world!" Kitazawa praised her at once.
"Sweet talker!" Kurenai lifted her stocking-clad leg and stomped on his foot, then turned and walked back to the sofa. As she sat, her legs crossed—the dark stockings pressing gently, emphasizing their curvy fullness.
"Let's begin," Kurenai said slowly. "The first illusion I'll teach you today is the Demonic Illusion: False Surrounding Technique."
Kitazawa gave a slight nod. He was already familiar with False Surrounding Jutsu.
"Kitazawa, look into my eyes." Kurenai formed hand seals. "I'll cast it once so you can experience the effect."
Seeing this, Kitazawa didn't resist. The world around him shifted dramatically. From Kurenai's living room to his own. But he knew he hadn't physically moved. It was merely an illusion affecting his vision.
"Demonic Illusion: False Surrounding Jutsu is a rare group-type genjutsu," Kurenai's voice echoed in his ears. "It's often used to confuse enemies during pursuit… What are you doing?"
"Testing if I can still touch you under the illusion," Kitazawa said seriously. His hand was resting on Kurenai's black-sleeved, plump thigh, feeling the luxurious texture.
"And what exactly are you touching?" Kurenai growled.
"Sorry," Kitazawa muttered, but still gave her thigh another firm pinch, squeezing until her soft flesh puffed between his fingers before pulling away.
Caught off guard, Kurenai let out an involuntary, sultry moan. Realizing what had happened, her face flushed bright red, and she kicked him in frustration.
"Teacher Kurenai, please continue," Kitazawa said with mock seriousness.
"..." Kurenai twitched her lips. She was utterly defeated by his shamelessness.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed on with her explanation. After a few minutes, she once again formed hand seals and cast False Surrounding Jutsu.
"I've explained everything you need to know. Since you've mastered medical ninjutsu, genjutsu shouldn't be hard for you." Kurenai thought aloud. "With your chakra control, you should be able to master it this afternoon."
"I'll give it a try," Kitazawa recalled the technique, then formed hand seals. Genjutsu: False Surrounding Jutsu.
Kurenai's body trembled. She had been caught in the illusion.
When she came to her senses, she realized she was inside Kitazawa's room. She looked around—flawless. Not a single hint that it was fake.
Kitazawa's success on his first try wasn't shocking, but the level of perfection was.
"Your chakra control is even better than I expected," Kurenai murmured. Although she didn't want to admit it, Kitazawa had already surpassed her in chakra control.
"Why the sigh?" Kitazawa asked, releasing the illusion.
"You're improving so fast. I've already been left behind." Kurenai said emotionally.
"I won't leave you behind." Kitazawa stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her waist, and hugged her gently.
"That's not what I meant." Kurenai shot him a glare but soon tiptoed in her black silk stockings and kissed him on the lips.
Kitazawa leaned in to deepen it. Eventually, Kurenai had no choice but to give in. After their brief entanglement, she pushed him away.
"Okay, let's continue learning illusions." Kurenai took a deep breath, frowning slightly. But the blush on her face still lingered, robbing her of her usual authority.
"Yes, Kurenai-sensei." Kitazawa chuckled.
"How many times have I told you not to call me that?" Kurenai stepped on his foot again, sat back down on the sofa, and said, "Keep practicing False Surrounding jutsu."
Although Kitazawa's proficiency with False Surrounding was already impressive, he had only just started learning it; he still hadn't reached perfection.
--
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P@atreon/Arvinstorm (45+ Advanced Chapters)